Lewis Hamilton topped the opening practice session for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on Friday, clocking a time of 1m29.260s in his Mercedes.
The seven-time world champion led teammate Kimi Antonelli and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, while championship leader Max Verstappen finished sixth after a yellow flag review that resulted in no penalty.
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New Energy Rules Challenge Drivers
The high-speed Silverstone circuit forced teams to navigate strict energy management constraints under a revised FIA regulation that bans re-opening wings after specific corners.
McLaren's Lando Norris explained the difficulty of managing battery power on the high-throttle layout. "You run out of battery very, very quickly.
You're in a pretty complicated place," he said.
Norris noted that cars decelerate through fast sections like Maggotts and Becketts due to depleted energy levels, requiring precise lift-and-coast strategies.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso highlighted tactical variance across the grid.
"We will see different strategies for each team," he said, noting that FP1 serves as a testing ground for energy deployment configurations.
Economic Impact and Record Crowds
Off the track, the event is projected to attract 565,000 fans, surpassing previous attendance records at the historic venue.
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Silverstone Chief Executive Stuart Pringle emphasized the Grand Prix has evolved into a multi-day entertainment festival.
"It's not just a race, it's a whole weekend event: entertainment, live music, hospitality, participation," he said.
The event previously injected £154 million into the local economy, driven by extended fan stays and high-profile musical performances.
Pringle noted that high-performance motorsport engineering jobs in the region are "almost twice as beneficial as any other job to the economy."
He also reflected on the potential milestone of Hamilton winning with his new team.
"Everybody loves a Ferrari, and for Lewis to win 10 times at Silverstone would be an exceptional story," Pringle said.
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The weekend continues with sprint qualifying later Friday, followed by Saturday's sprint race and Sunday's main Grand Prix.
